MIDWEEK MADNESS! LOTS of tasty morsels as we head into an abbreviated version of your favorite weekly Serie Preview. Grab your coffee, bagel and cream cheese as we one again WHIP IT AROOOOOOOOUUUUNNNDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matchups
v
CAGLIARI V BOLOGNA Cagliari are usually tough at home and Bologna is coming of a break after sitting out the deluge. Cagliari at home is never dead til you kill them twice. Bologna are having a hard time scoring but the defense is sound. It’s a lot like they were 2 seasons ago before making a leap last year. LOTS OF DRAWS. I see something similar today. Bologna leads at the half 1-0. Cagliari levels it late and we get a sister kisser. Bologna DC and under for the win. DRAW.
v
LECCE V HELLAS Lecce stinks. They have been outscored 19-3 this year and look to be on the bullet train to relegation. Hellas isn’t great, defense stinks, but they can sure score. My guess is we get some goals here but perhaps not a decision. I like the over here. I also like Falcone to have to make a bunch of saves. As for a result goes? I’ll say 2-2 DRAW
v
MILAN V NAPOLI Catch the matchpost for details!
v
EMPOLI V INTER Empoli have scored 0 goals at home this year and have 3 draws. Amazing. Inter will probably rotate heavily after having played a barn burner against Juve over the weekend. That could mean a stinker but it could also mean guys who rarely play get a shot. Sometimes that means goals. Sometimes not. Take the under. Consider Empoli saves. I think Inter breaks through eventually BUT I’ll also say Empoli gets their first home goal of the season. You guessed it…DRAW
v
VENEZIA V UDINESE Venezia have had a brutal start. Doesn’t help they’ve played 6 of their first 9 on the road though. They could sure use some home cooking here. Meanwhile Udinese are in full Saberhagen mode here going WLWLWLW over their last 7 in all comps. If you are not familiar with Bret Saberhagen he was a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals in the 80s that notoriously was excellent one year, then shit the next, then great again over about a 10 year period through the 80s and 90s. Anyways I will lean on that pattern and say Venezia get a result here. Possibly even a win? Sure. VENEZIA WINS
v
ATALANTA V MONZA Atalanta have 24 goals on the year including 11 in their last 3. Honestly if Lookman and Retegui start take them AGS. It’s worth it. Monza aren’t playing bad but this game away in Bergamo smells like trouble. Coming off a short rest Atalanta will rotate but that doesn’t mean less goals, just different scorers. Watch the lineups. I also think Monza nips one. BTTS for sure. At home though ATALANTA WINS
v
JUVE V PARMA Juve are figuring out how to score and they will be pissed they couldn’t complete the comeback against Inter. The Parma defense has been getting better but that’s more a reflection on their schedule than anything else. Juve defend and leave it late but ultimately take this game 1-0 or 2-0. Clean sheet for sure. Probably an under. Parlay one or both of those with a JUVE WIN
v
GENOA V FIORENTINA THIS PALLADINO GUY IS PRETTY GOOD HUH? MIGHT HAVE BEEN A GOOD SHOUT FOR MILAN HUH? Even with some injuries they have won 5 straight in all comps while rolling up 19 goals. Kean has been leading the charge but they are getting goals from everywhere. The Genoa defense is bad. They have conceded the most PKs in Serie A this year. Worth a flyer we see a PK here as well. Will we get a Balotelli appearance? Maybe. It won’t matter though. La Viola keep rolling. Take the over. FIORENTINA WINS
v
COMO V LAZIO Lazio have put together a lethal squad. Tavares is dropping assists like falling rain and the attack of Castellanos, Dia and Noslin is getting better every day. Fixture buildup will make things tricky but they are finding a way. Como have struggled, but like Venezia they have only had 3 of their first 9 at home. Now they need to make these home games count. So far they are unbeaten with a win and 2 draws and we all know that promoted teams have to make their home a fortress. I think they continue the good home trend here. Might be a win but they will gladly settle for a 1-1 DRAW.
v
ROMA V TORINO THE JURIC DERBY! Torino has continued scoring after losing Zapata but also have been a sieve…until their last game, a 1-0 win against Como. Let’s be honest though, it was Como at home. This is away to Roma…a CAULDRON…against their former coach…fighting for his job. Not a good spot for them. The Roma fans will be whipped into a frenzy. I think they bounce back STRONG. Dybala TSOA. You know if they get a PK he will take it. Dovbyk AGFS. Roma bounce back here and bury Torino. Juric keeps his job for another week. In a match that might get a little feisty I’m going Team Juric and say ROMA WINS
Final Thoughts
Nothing like some midweek action to get through hump day! Enjoy the Calcio!
Lisi
PS: If you enjoy making a few bets the KICKS and PICKS PODCAST is a must listen. They touch on a lot of Serie A action but also have their eyes on other leagues across Europe. Fun show with excellent insight. Great for anyone new to the betting scene. Enjoy